, 1887-04-23
PLOT AGAINST THE CZAR.
ST.. PETERSBURG, MARCH 10.

plan and tactics.
To-day being the anniversary Of the assas-
s~ination of Alexander II, the Imperial family
attended Divine service before the tomb of
the late monarch in the cathedral of the Neva
Fortress, and the Emperor and Empress,
accompanied by the Heir Apparent, were to
drive on their way back from the fortress
along the Nevsky Prospect and through the
Grand Morskaia street, and so on to the
Warsaw Railway Station, to take train for
Gatschina. These two principal thorough
fares were crowded with gaily-dressed pro-
menaders, as usual on Sundays and Imperial
holidays.
Fortunately, it appears that before the
Imperial party had left the fortress the police
telegraphed thither, stating that grave suspi-
cions had been aroused as to the safety of the
intended route, and advising their Majesties
to take another road. The Car and Czarina
were therefore driven along the Neva Quay
and by a eircuitous route which enabled hen
to avoid all the town. This was about 2
o'clock in the afternoon-the sam hour, it
will be noticed, at which was struck the
knell Of the late Emperor; and, to make the
resemblance still more remarkable, it was
also Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the secret
police agents, who always throng the streets
through which the Emperor passes, had been
watching one or two suspected individuals
hanging about the pavements near the corner
of the Nevsky and Great Morskaia, and had
arrested one with q bomb or grenade under
his arm. Four other men are said to have
been arrested directly afterwards.
The explosive machine, filled with material
enough to kill 80 persons in the crowd, was
in the shape and form of a book, which could
be carried by a student under the arm without
attracting any particular attention; but it
$500 Aha4 - l~~v - -oo,IIo- 4o.>o c++oo1
ed to it slipped low and drew the attention
of the detectives. It was evidently intended
that the bomb should be exploded by tug at
this tape after it had been thrown or laid
down in the road. This Nihilist seems to
have ingeniously provided for his own safety.
At the corner of the Nevsky and Morskaia,
whore there is always a great press Of traffic,
the Imperial carriage would have been obig-
ed, like the rest, to slacken speed and turn
the corner very slowly, which operation
would, Of course, have given the desired
opportunity to the would be assassin.
All the district heads of police were imme-
diately summoned before General Gr0sser,
the Project, and received orders to make
immediate search throughout the city. Over
100 suspected individuals We're arrested before
night.
March IA.
St. Petersburg is Illuminated tonight in
honour of the Cars accession to the Throne.
The Imperial Court removed to the Palace
AZ Gatschina yesterday, after attending a
funeral service before the tomb of Alexander
II. in the Cathedral of the Fortress. Reli-
gious services in commemoration of the
Cars assassination six years ago were yes
terday held in all cathedrals, churches, regi-
mental chapels and public schools and
institutions, and at the temporary shrine
raised over the spot where His late Majesty
fell by the hand of the Nihilist assassin. All
the theatres and places of amusement, as
we'll as the drinking shops were closed in the
evening, and even the organs in the tea houses
were not played.
Many of those arrested last night have
been released. A special council was held
on the subject last night, under the presi-
dency of the Cars eldest brother, the Grand
Duke Vladimir. The would-be assassin is
described as of short stature, and he remains
silent against all inquiries. 1t is stated by
some that his lodging has been discovered on
the north side of the Neva, that his fellow
lodger there has been arrested, and that
other bombs and explosive materials nave
been seized. On the other hand, | am in
formed on good authority that the head-quar-
tiers of this new band of conspirators have
not yet been discovered.
1t is said that the Gar shed tears on being
informed of the danger which not only him
Golf hut tho Epoproca oDH hpP son had go